Travelers with wear resistant inserts



Dec. 27, 1960 L. H. MORIN 2,965,026

TRAVELERS WITH WEAR RESISTANT INSERTS Filed May 16, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

L 00/5 /7. MGR/N /7 TTOR/VEY Dec. 27, 1960 H. MORIN TRAVELERS WITH- WEAR RESISTANT INSERTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1958 m Y m w E v R m m 0 0 M T H w 5 U 0 L Y B 1A J31. 2i 6 Dec. 27, 1960 H. MORIN 2,966,026

TRAVELERS WITH WEAR RESISTANT INSERTS Filed May 16, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 4&1" H BY Loy/5 Mom/v 2,966,626 Ice Patented Dec. 27, 1960 TRAVELERS WITH WEAR RESISTANT INSERTS Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N.Y., assignor to Coats & Clark Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 16, 1958, Ser. No. 735,844

15 Claims. (Cl. 57-125) stood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view, illustrating the method of producing travelers of the kind under consideration and indicating in dotted lines the trimming of a molded traveler at a trimming station.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, illustrating the molded traveler at the trimming station, preparatory to removal of the gate.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1, showing only part of the construction with the dies in a partially opened position, preparatory to gripping an insert.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view through the hook end portion of the traveler, formed as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4, omitting background showing and illustrating diagrammatically the position of a thread in passage over the insert.

Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view, similar to Fig, 4, showing only part of the construction and showing a modification.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 7 and omitting background showing.

Fig. 9 is a view, generally similar to Fig. 1, but also indicating part of a feed hopper and illustrating a modified form of construction for the simultaneous molding of three travelers.

Fig. 9a is a diagrammatic view illustrating the molded product as produced in the structure of Fig. 9 at a trimming station.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a structure, generally sirnilar to that of Fig. 1, but indicating a different method of transfer of the molded product to a trimming and ejector station.

Fig. 11 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, showing a different arrangement of the wear insert in the traveler.

Fig. 12 is a view, similar to Fig. 11, showing another arrangement of insert in the traveler.

Fig. 13 is a section on the line 1313 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a section on the line 1414 of Fig. 12, omitting the background showing and diagrammatically illustrating the position of a thread in passage over the insert.

Fig. 15 is a view, similar to Fig. 4, showing a modified form of insert and manner of positioning the same in the -traveler.

Fig. 16 is a section on the line 1616 of Fig. 15, omitting background showing; and

Fig. 17 is a partial section on the line 17-1'7 of Fig. 15.

In the accompanying drawings, several arrangements and/ or positioning of wear resistant inserts are shown in the traveler and, in one instance, a slightly modified form of insert is disclosed. However, all of these inserts will be made substantially in accordance with the method and apparatus as diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, 9, 9a and 10 of the drawing.

In Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, I have diagrammatically shown at 20, 20' a pair of relatively movable dies, the face view of the die 20 being illustrated in Fig. 1, the die having a cavity 21. for molding a traveler 22, having a large hook end 23 and a smaller hook end 24. Arranged in the large hook end portion 23 is a wear resistant insert 25, which is delivered to the die cavity 21 through an aperture 26, the lower end 27 of which forms a stop to check downward movement of the insert.

Considering Fig. 3 of the drawing, it will appear that the insert 25 is positioned between the dies 2%, 21 when the dies are partially open. Arranged in the die cavities are opposed gripper lugs 28, having rounded inner surfaces 29, note Fig. 3, which are adapted to firmly grip and engage the insert 28 when the dies are in closed position. The surfaces 29 also aid in guiding and positioning the insert 25 in the cavity of the dies.

At 30 is shown a gate passage opening into the cavity 21 and with which is adapted to register the injection nozzle 31, through which the plastic material is pressure injected into 3i. and, thus, into the cavity 21 in forming the resulting traveler. The passage 30 is enlarged, as seen at 32, to form, on the gate portion 33, a button-like body 34, which is molded around a tapered extension 35 on a transfer member or core 36, the latter being employed for transferring the complete molded product as formed within the die cavities to a trimming station adjacent the lower surface 37 of the die. This lower surface is recessed, as seen at 38, to receive the hook portion 23 of the molded traveler. At 39 are indicated the trimming tools, note Fig. 2, for severing the gate 33 in production of the final trimmed end product and, by upward movement of the member 36, the button 34 of the gate will strike the surface 37 and be discharged from the machine.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have indicated, in part, at 46, the frame of a molding machine, to which is fixed a bracket 41 suitably supporting, at its free end, an elongated delivery tube 42 for delivering the inserts 25 into position upon a sliding transfer block 43. The inserts 25 are fed into the tube 42 from a hopper such, for example, as indicated, in part, in Fig. 9 of the drawing and later described.

The block 43 has an aperture 44 therein, in which a pusher-rod 45 is adapted to operate. It w.ll appear that the upper end of the aperture 44 is bevelled, as seen at 46, for free admission of the pusher-rod 45, as well as the inserts 25. The block 43 is shown in the pos tion where an insert has been delivered to the dies, prepara tory to forming a cast or molded traveler thereon. However, when the rod 45 is raised to clear the block 43, the block is moved to the right to bring the aperture 44 into registering alinement with the tube 42; vshereupon, the next successive insert 25 will drop into the aperture 44 and strike the upper surface of a stop plate 47 fixed to the bracket 41.

It will be noted, from a consideration of Fig. 1, that the free end 47' of the plate 47 terminates short of the aperture 26 so that, when the block is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, the rod 45 can move down through the aperture 44 to deliver the insert 25 into sition between the dies in the manner diagrammatically shown.

Considering the enlarged detail view of the hook end portion 23 of the traveler 22, as noted in Fig. 4 of the drawing, it will appear that the. insert 25 has the central neck or restricted portion 48 forming What I term the hourglass construction of the insert and this restriction is located at the rounded portion 49 of the hook end portion 23 and the cavity of the die is so formed as to provide exposure of more than one-half of the circumference of the portion 48 by recessed sides 55 in the curved portion 49, as clearly noted in Fig. 5 of the drawing. By virtue of the recessed sides 50, the thread or strand 51, diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing, is maintained in engagement with the reduced portion 48 without contacting the body portIon of the traveler, so that wearis taken up primarily with the insert or wear element 25.

With the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, it will appear that the insert or element has rounded ends 52 which protrude beyond surfaces of the hook end portion 23. As may be seen in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, portion 48 of insert 25, lies midway between the ends 52 of the insert and the insert is of substantially circular cross-section at all points. These features make it unimportant which end of the insert is uppermost in tube 42 and make it unnecessary to position the insert at any given angle about its long axis. Feeding of the insert to the dies is thus much simplified.

It will also appear from a consideration of Fig. 6 that the lugs 28 form opposed recesses 53 in the traveler which register with the insert 25.

Considering now Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawing, here is illustrated a slight modification of the structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing, wherein the insert 54 is mounted in the traveler in the same manner as taught in the early figures, but the die structure would be modified to fully expose the central restricted or neck portion 55, thereby providing greater freedom of passage of a thread or strand over the traveler in the use thereof. In other words, the traveler, instead of having just the recessed or cutaway portions, as at 50, is apertured, as seen at 56, to fully expose the neck portion 55.

In Figs. 9, 9a I have diagrammatically illustrated a method and apparatus for simultaneously forming two or more travelers and, to illustrate one adaptation and use, the dies 57 will have three cavities 58, generally similar to the cavities 21, but instead of employing a gate passage exposed to the large hook end portion of the traveler, a gate passage 59 is employed, having extensions 60 to each of the cavities 58, so that a long gate portion 61 will be formed, including a button 62, generally similar to the button 34, but reversed to be formed on a transfer core member 63, which is utilized to move the complete molded product from position between the dies 57 to a trimming and ejector station, as noted in Fig. 9a of the drawing. This station includes a plurality of trimming knives 64 to sever the gate from the respective molded travelers and the member. 63 serves to strip the trimmed gate 61 by movement relatively to a stripper plate 65, shown, in part, in Fig. 9a of the drawing. In other Words, after the gate has been trfmmed, the member 63 returns to position between the dies 57, as indicated in Fig. 9, preparatory to receiving the next molded product.

In Fig. 9 of the drawing, .represents part of the machine frame, similar to 49 of Fig. l; 41' the bracket, the latter being made sutiiciently long to support three tubes 42' for delivery of three of the inserts 25', simIlar to the inserts 25 to the die 57. It'will also appear that a longer transfer block 43 is provided, in which three pusher-rods 45' are adapted to operate in delivering the inserts to the cavities 58 of the dies or to stops 27', similar to the stops 27 of Fig. l of the drawing.

1; Big. 9, a modified form of stop plate 66 is employed which differs from the plate 47 in having a pinrality of apertures 67 therein for reception of the rods 45'.

The block 43 has three apertures 44' for reception of the rods 45 and, as with the structure in Fig. 1, when these rods are raised, the block 43 moves to the right to bring the apertures 44 into registering position with the tubes 42' for transmission of the inserts 25' into the apertures 44', and, then, as the block 43' moves to the left, the inserts will pass downwardly. through the apertures 6'7 indownward movement of the rods 45' to extend into apertures 26, similar to the aperture '26, and thus, into positions similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 with the dies in the partially closed position.

As previously stated, the inserts are fed into the tube 42 and the tubes 42' form a hopper 68, the hopper of Fig. 9 having the capacity to operate in conjunction with the three tubes 42. The lower portion of the hopper 68 has downwardly contracted Wall portions 69 adjacent the tubes 42 to aid in mixing and shifting a multiplicity of the inserts arranged in the hopper for delivery into the upper open ends of the tubes 42 as the hopper 68 is re ciprocated vertically through operation of the rod 70 coupled with an outwardly projecting lug 71 on the hopper, as diagrammatically seen in Fig. 9 of the drawing.

It will also be apparent that the tubes 42' are stationary and the hopper 68 moves longitudinally over the upper end portions of the tubes. It will also be apparent that the hopper is spaced sufficiently above the bracket 41 to provide for actuation of the rods 45' which are moved upwardly and downwardly, as will be apparent.

The apertures 44 of the block 43 have the bevelled or conical upper portions, as at 46, for guidance of the rods 45 into said apertures.

It will be apparent that the die cavities 58 are generally of the structure of the cavity 21, in other words, will have, at each of the cavities, lugs, similar to the lugs 28, which result in forming apertures, as at 53' in the molded travelers, similar to the apertures 53, as clearly noted in Fig. 6 of the drawing.

At this time, it will be well to point out that the modified form of travelers with inserts therein, as disclosed, for example, in Figs. 7, ll, 12 and 15, can be produced in accordance with the method and apparatus as outlined in Figs. 1 and 9 or, as shown, for example, in Fig. 10, where another form of insert assemblage is diagrammatically illustrated.

In Fig. 10, only portions of the complete structure are shown. In other words, part of the die 72 is shown; 73 represents a stop plate, generally similar to the plate 47 and 74 represents a block, similar to the block 43, in the aperture 75 of which a rod 76, similar to the rod 45, operates, the primary difference in the rod 76 being that it is of sufficient length to deliver the shorter insert 77 into position between the dies. However, positioning of the insert 77 in the die cavity 78 for molding the traveler 79 is controlled by a rod-like transfer core 80, the upper end portion of which has a socket 81, into which the lower end portion of the insert 77 seats.

The core 89 is in the form of an elongated rod seating in an aperture 82 formed between adjacent surfaces of the dies 72. At 83 is shown the gate formed on the traveler.

With the structure shown in Fig. 10, it will appear that the ultimate end traveler product will have, beyond the ends of the insert 77, apertures, as at 84 and 85, differing in this respect from the structure of Fig. l, where the insert includes the protruding ends, as at 52 in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

With the structure of Fig. 10, after the traveler 79 has been molded, the dies are opened and the transfer core is moved downwardly to a trimming and stripper station below the die, the station having trimming tools, as diagrammatically seen at 86, similar to the tools 39, and a stripper block 87 shaped to receive that part of the molded traveler adjacent the aperture 85, the block 87 having an aperture 38, in which the transfer rod 80 operates. In other words, after the product has been trimmed by the tools 86, the rod 80 is moved downwardly to strip the molded traveler from the rod.

After completing the stripping operation, the rod 80 returns to its raised position, as shown in full lines in Fig. of the drawing, preparatory for reception of the next insert 77. In Fig. 10, part of the molded traveler is indicated at the trimming and stripping station in dotted lines.

Aside from the modification noted above, the resulting end product traveler 79, formed as shown in Fig. 10, will be the same as that illustrated in Fig. 4 and, for this reason, no further detailed description of the traveler is deemed to be necessary. From this standpoint, this also applies to the travelers formed, as noted in Figs. 9, 9a, the latter being identical with the structure of Fig. 4 of the drawing.

Turning now to Fig. 11, at 89 is shown the upper large hook end portion of a modified form of traveler 90, wherein an insert 91, generally similar to the insert 25, is employed, but is arranged in a position to extend in a different angular position in the hook-shaped end 89, with one end 92 of the insert protruding and with the other end 93 disposed within an aperture 94, the aperture 94 being generally similar to the aperture 84 of Fig. 10 of the drawing.

With Fig. 11, the reduced or neck portion 95 of the insert is positioned differently with respect to the rounded portion 95 of the traveler, but otherwise, the exposure of the neck portion 95 will be generally the same as the exposure of Fig. 5 of the drawing to provide positive engagement with the thread or strand engaged by the traveler.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14, another form of traveler structure is shown and, in Fig. 12, 97 represents part of the large hook portion of the traveler and 98 represents part of the shank adjacent the large hook portion. An insert 91', generally similar to the insert 91, and including a neck portion 95', is arranged more or less longitudinally with respect to the shank 98, so as to protrude one end 99 of the insert above the upper portion of the traveler and arrange the other end 100 of the insert within the shank 98, the end 100 terminating at a transverse aperture 101 formed in the shank, note Fig. 13. The aperture is formed by stop pins which would abut on the parting line of the die, the pins serving to check inward feed of the insert 91' for positioning within the die cavity. In forming travelers of the type and kind shown in Figs. 12 to 14, the die cavity will have lugs, similar to the lugs 28, and, thus, form apertures 102 on opposed walls of the traveler, generally similar to the apertures 53, as noted in Fig. 6 of the drawing.

It will appear, from a consideration of Fig. 12, that the neck'portion 95 is exposed at the rounded portion 103 of the traveler and the sides of the traveler are shaped to form the cutaway portions, as noted at 104 in Fig. 14 of the drawing to expose the major portion of the neck 95 again in providing ample clearance for the thread or strand 105, noted in Fig. 14, in its operation upon the traveler.

It will appear, from a consideration of Fig. 13, that opposed sides of the aperture 101 are slightly tapered or flared, so as to provide tree removal of the stop pins which would be employed in transfer of the traveler to the trimming and ejector station and, here, the teachings in Figs. 1 and 9 can be followed.

In Figs. to 17, inclusive, I have shown a modified form of traveler and insert and, in Fig. 15, 106 represents the large hook end portion of a traveler in which a modified form of insert 107 is arranged to expose the contracted neck portion 108 of the insert at the rounded portion 109 of the traveler.

With this construction, the body portion 110 of the traveler extending from the neck 108 is made comparatively thin, but of greater depth, so that the sides 111 of this body portion are of less angularity; thus providing greater clearances for a thread or strand in movement over the neck 108, as will appear from a consideration of Fig. 16 of the drawing. With the structure, as noted in Fig. 15, rods, similar to the rods 76 and 80, can be used, but would extend to a greater depth into the hook end portion of the traveler and seat in relatively deep sockets 112 and 113 formed in the insert 107. For example, a rod, similar to the rod 76, could extend into the socket 112 and a rod, similar to the rod 80, could extend into the socket 113 and these rods would form, in the resulting traveler, rather deep apertures 114 and 115 in alinement with the apertures 112 and 113, respectively.

In other words, a traveler, constructed as noted in Fig. 15 of the drawing, can be produced in accordance with the method as diagrammatically noted in Fig. 10 of the drawing.

With the structures as shown in Figs. 10 and 15, and also in Fig. 11, the insert is supported and positioned within the die cavity by the opposed rods, generally similar to the rods 76 and in Fig. 10; whereas, with the other forms of construction shown, the inwardly projecting lugs, as at 28, Fig. 3 of the drawing, are employed for the positive positioning of the inserts in the die cavity. These supports are desirable to resist the pressure of the injected plastic material in the formation of the traveler.

In all of the structures shown, the wear resistant inserts are of what I term the hourglass construction and includes the central reduced neck portions. These inserts can be formed of any type or kind of wear resistant materials, such for example, as suitable metals, ceramics or synthetic sapphire can be employed.

By locating the reduced or neck portions of the inserts centrally of the insert, it will appear that, in the hopper feed, it is immaterial which end of the insert is fed downwardly for delivery into the cavity of the dies. While the central reduced or neck portions of the inserts are preferably rounded to provide the smooth wear surfaces thereon to be engaged by the threads or strands, the end portions of the inerts can be of any desired cross-sectional contour.

The different angular positioning of the inserts in the large hook end portion of the traveler is to compensate for the dilferent spinning applications to which travelers are used so as to provide the most desirable location of the wear resistant neck portion in the curved part of the large hook end of the traveler. Here, it is to be noted that three markedly difierent positions are illustrated in, for example, Figs. 4, l1 and 12 and these positions are solely by way of illustrating certain adaptations and uses of the invention and other angular positions could be provided by simply changing the position of the large hook ends of the traveler with respect to the inserts, as positioned in the die.

For purposes of description, the traveler may be said to comprise a body having large and small hook ends joined by a shank and that the inner surface of the large hook end, adjacent the shank, has a curved base portion, at which the reduced or neck portion of the insert is exposed, exposure of the neck portion at the curved base being preferably to an extent of more than half the circumference of said neck portion by relief portions in the walls bordering the base at said neck portion of the insert.

The insert may also be described as a straight rod-like member having the central reduced or neck portion and the latter forming the exposed part or wear resistant element of the insert for taking up wear upon the traveler.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A traveler comprising a molded plastic body having large and small hooks joined by a shank, the inner surfaces of the large hook, adjacent the shank, having a curved base portion, and an insert of wear resistant material in said large hook, said insert having-a reduced neck portion exposed at said curved base portion and at least one end portion completely embedded in and surrounded by said molded plastic body.

2. A traveler as defined in claim 1, wherein atleast one end portion of the insert protrudes beyond the surface .of the traveler.

- curved base portion, an insert of wear resistant material in said large hook, said insert having a reduced neck portion exposed at said curved base portion and one end portion of said insert terminating inwardly of the outer periphery of the traveler, and said traveler having an aperture exposed to said inwardly set end portion of the insert.

6. A traveler as defined in claim 5, wherein the insert has an aperture in alinement with said first mentioned aperture.

7. A traveler as defined in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal plane of the insert is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal plane of the shank of the traveler.

8. A traveler as defined in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal plane of the insert is substantially in alinement with the longitudinal plane of the shank.

9. A traveler comprising a molded plastic body having large and small hooks joined by a shank, the inner surfaces of the large hook, adjacent the shank, having a curved base portion, an insert of wear resistant material in said large hook, and said insert having a reduced neck portion exposed at said curved base portion, said neck portion being circular in cross sectional form and a greater portion of the circumference of said neck portion being exposed at said curved base portion of the large hook.

10. A traveler as defined in claim 9, wherein the walls bordering the curved base portion are relieved for unobstructed exposure of the neckportion of said insert.

11. A traveler comprising a molded plastic body having large and small hooks joined by a shank, the inner surfaces of the large hook, adjacent the shank, having a curved base portion, an insertof wear resistant material in said large hook, and said insert having a reduced neck portion exposed at said curved base portion, the parts of said insert on opposite sides of the reduced neck portion being of substantially identical length.

12. A traveler as defined in claim 11, wherein the parts of the insert on opposite sides of the reduced neck portion are of-substantially identical shape.

13. A traveler as defined in claim 11, wherein the reduced neck portion is circular in cross-sectional form.

14. A traveler as defined in claim 11, wherein all parts of the insert are of substantially circular cross-section and have rounded ends.

15. A traveler comprising a molded plastic body having large and small hooks joined by 'a shank, the inner surfaces'of the large hook, adjacent the shank, having a curved base portion, and an insert of wear resistant material in said large hook, said insert having a reduced neck portion exposed at said curved base portion and end 'portions on each side of said neck portion completely em- I bedded in and surrounded by said molded plastic body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stahli June 12, 1956 

